Malibu, CA

[PhilF]

went to Malibu today

[GB1]

Phil -

I really love the lighting here! It's dramatic and complementary. I like the background and think you did a pretty good job using it in and still making her stand out; it does blend in to her a bit in the center image, but her shadow and overall lighting still make it work.

My favorite is the first. Her dark back draws attention to her face here. Her expression in the middle one seems to be one of pain so I don't think that one makes the cut, but I do like her shadow. I would also consider warming all of them up a bit or slightly increasing the saturation.

Gb

[Overbeyond]

Technically they seem fine to me but the poses (especially the facial expressions) look laboured and cliched.. Maybe she is trying too hard to look like the models she sees in the magazines. Artistically they are lacking in originality. This, to me, is sadly the case with most of this style of photography that I see on various forums.

[PhilF]

Technically they seem fine to me but the poses (especially the facial expressions) look laboured and cliched.. Maybe she is trying too hard to look like the models she sees in the magazines. Artistically they are lacking in originality. This, to me, is sadly the case with most of this style of photography that I see on various forums.

I think you mistook this type of photography for another one. My purpose is not to be artistically original here... this is what you call commercial photography. Consumer want to see this too buy the product. I am not trying to be artistic and original here.Poses are already been done throughout the years. There is no such thing as original poses. Just like Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition magazine...it's poses all over and over again (with different faces) but people don't complain about it...millions of people buy the magazine.... you can only do so much with swimwear . LOL

[Overbeyond]

Hello Phil
Many thanks for your detailed reply.
When an image, any image, is posted for critique I am not privy to the reasoning or purpose the photographer had in mind. Therefore critique is based on what appears on the screen only, and I feel that's the way it should be. There is no mix up.
In the case of the photographs you posted here, I have seen too many, almost identical, images so many times before. I totally disagree with 'there is no such thing as an original pose". Couple that with original approach.
I appreciate you are working (for money?) in an area alien to me and I appreciate that this stuff has a huge audience and, as you say, the consumer wants to see and buy it.
However, when you post them here and ask for a critique (presumably that is your intention) I can only offer my opinion.
I respond and critique images that I like and that I don't like and try to be honest in what I say.
Looking at your website it appears you have found a successful niche in the photography world and it is great if you are making your living from it. I forever ask myself, where I am going with mine.

[Greg McCary]

I agree with GB the first one is the best. I like how you made her stand out against the background. I am not to fond of the other two. The middle pose looks akward and she seems to be squinting and uncomfortable. The last one her top doesn't seem to fit right.
I know you can't control your models and there are good ones and not so good ones. One reason I would really be bad at this kind of work. It's not really your fault but this model doesn't stand up to the ones you have posted before.

[PhilF]

Hello Phil
Many thanks for your detailed reply.
When an image, any image, is posted for critique I am not privy to the reasoning or purpose the photographer had in mind. Therefore critique is based on what appears on the screen only, and I feel that's the way it should be. There is no mix up.
In the case of the photographs you posted here, I have seen too many, almost identical, images so many times before. I totally disagree with 'there is no such thing as an original pose". Couple that with original approach.
I appreciate you are working (for money?) in an area alien to me and I appreciate that this stuff has a huge audience and, as you say, the consumer wants to see and buy it.
However, when you post them here and ask for a critique (presumably that is your intention) I can only offer my opinion.
I respond and critique images that I like and that I don't like and try to be honest in what I say.
Looking at your website it appears you have found a successful niche in the photography world and it is great if you are making your living from it. I forever ask myself, where I am going with mine.

Yes I am doing this as a full time job. I had to reinvent myself to put food in the table. I use to do architecture. So what I shoot are similar to what you see in media. So I have to master that type of photography to get gigs from it. I guess you can call me a photo whore... I shoot what clients want me to shoot. LOL

[PhilF]

I know you can't control your models and there are good ones and not so good ones. One reason I would really be bad at this kind of work. It's not really your fault but this model doesn't stand up to the ones you have posted before.

so true... you have to work with what you have.... it's a job.